Elevation of intracavernous pressure and NO-cGMP activity by a new herbal formula in penile tissues of spontaneous hypertensive male rats

AIM OF THE STUDY

We created a new herbal formulation that mainly consists of the seeds of Lycium chinense, Cornus officinalis, Rubus coreanus, Cuscuta chinensis and Schizandra chinensis. These materials have been long used by Korean people as they are known to be good for health and sexual function; hence we could say that their safety have been proven in a certain sense. We investigated the effects of this herbal formulation on the penile erection and corpus cavernosum of spontaneous hypertensive male Rats (SHRs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used male SHRs aged 16 weeks as a model of hypertension. The treatment groups received once a day oral doses of KH-204 at either 100 or 300mg/kg per day for 4 weeks. Distilled water was administered to the control group. To investigate the penile erection, the intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded in all groups. We analyzed the distribution of NOS by immunohistochemical staining and the expressions of nNOS and eNOS in the isolated corpus cavernosum were measured by Western blotting.

RESULTS

In the control group, the ICP/MAP ratio was 14.9+/-1.4% after pelvic nerve stimulation. The ICP/MAP ratio was markedly increased in the treatment group with KH-204 100 or 300mg/kg, compared with the control group. Immunohistochemical staining for NOS showed that eNOS and nNOS were stained as a brown color. Compared with the control group, the NOS activities of KH-204 100 or 300mg/kg were significantly increased. Also, the penile expression levels of nNOS and eNOS in the KH-204 100 and 300mg/kg treatment groups were more increased, and this was significant, than those of the control group, as was determined by Western blotting.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that the KH-204 herbal formulation enhances intracavernous pressure and NO-cGMP activity in penile tissues of SHR male rats.

Fabrication of silicon dioxide submicron channels without nanolithography for single biomolecule detection

We successfully fabricated nanochannel arrays with silicon dioxide (SiO(2)) surfaces for single biomolecule detection. The SiO(2) nanochannel fabrication is based on the combination of anisotropic etching by potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution, local oxidation of silicon (LOCOS) and plasma etching of silicon. This fabrication technique is easily controllable and is a simple and practical solution for low-cost and high-throughput fabrication of nanofluidic channels. Thus, this technique enables the generation of nanochannels with various nanoscale dimensions without using nanolithography.

Immunostimulation with Escherichia coli extract: prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections

Antibiotic treatment is the most effective method for managing recurrent uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women. However, there is a limitation to long-term antibiotic use, therefore alternative approaches are required. Escherichia coli is the commonest cause of recurrent uncomplicated UTIs and accounts for more than 60% of recurrent cystitis. It has therefore been suggested that immunostimulation with a bacterial extract consisting of immunostimulating components derived from 18 E. coli strains may protect against UTIs. Many in vitro studies, animal experiments and clinical trials in patients with recurrent UTIs have been carried out to assess the effectiveness and safety of E. coli extract for prophylaxis against recurrent UTIs. In this paper, we review the scientific evidence showing the anti-inflammatory effect of E. coli extract as well as the clinical results of placebo-controlled, randomised, double-blind studies that demonstrated a positive effect for E. coli extract in patients with recurrent UTIs. Evidence from available studies suggests that E. coli extract can be beneficial and safe for preventing recurrent UTIs in women.

Protective effects of cranberries on infection-induced oxidative renal damage in a rabbit model of vesico-ureteric reflux

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the protective effects of cranberry fruit, which have known antioxidant effects, on infection-induced oxidative renal damage in a rabbit model of vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In all, 36 New Zealand male rabbits were divided into five groups, with a sham operation in four rabbits serving as the control (group 1). To create unilateral VUR the roof of the left intravesical ureter was incised, and VUR confirmed 2 weeks after surgery. In all, 32 rabbits with VUR were divided into four groups; 2, VUR alone (with sterile urine); 3, a group infected with Escherichia coli; 4, with intravesical E. coli instillation but fed cranberries; and 5, intravesical E. coli instillation plus an intraperitoneal injection with melatonin group. At 3 weeks after surgery the rabbits were killed, the kidneys obtained and examined histopathologically to evaluate inflammation, fibrosis and tubular changes. Oxidative renal damage was evaluated by measuring malondialdehyde in the renal tissue.

RESULTS

Grossly, the refluxing kidney was larger than the contralateral normal kidney, and the refluxing ureter was dilated and tortuous. Microscopy of tissues from the kidneys in group 3 showed apparent periglomerular mononuclear cell infiltration, tubular dilatation and atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis. The kidneys from groups 2, 4 and 5 showed mild mononuclear cell infiltration with no interstitial fibrosis. The level of malondialdehyde in the kidneys of group 3 was significantly higher than that in group 2, 4 and 5 (P < 0.05); the level in groups 4 and 5 did not differ significantly from that in group 2.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that cranberries have an anti-inflammatory effect through their antioxidant function and might prevent infection-induced oxidative renal damage. Thus, clinically cranberries might be used as a beneficial adjuvant treatment to prevent damage due to pyelonephritis in children with VUR.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections: new aspects of novel urinary catheters

Nosocomial urinary tract infection is the most common infection acquired both in hospitals and nursing homes and is usually associated with catheterisation. These catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) have been reported to increase mortality and have a considerable economic impact. To date, the sole effective preventative strategy is the use of a closed drainage system and removal of the catheter as soon as possible. The underlying cause of CAUTI is the formation of a pathogenic biofilm on the surface of the indwelling urinary catheter. Currently, researchers seek to alter the catheter surface in order to inhibit biofilm formation. Many substances are being studied for their potential as biofilm-disrupting catheter coatings. Among these substances, recently developed antibiotic-coated catheters may provide promise for the control of CAUTI. More basic research at the level of pathogenesis and catheter substance is needed to design novel strategies.

Efficacy and safety of gatifloxacin for urinary tract infection in nonspecialized Korean urologic practice

To investigate the efficacy and safety of gatifloxacin (400mg/day) on chronic prostatitis or cystitis, 453 patients with prostatitis (NIH category II or IIIa) (N=149, mean 45.8+/-13.3 years) and cystitis (N=304, mean 53.8+/-14.3 years) were enrolled. Total NIH CPSI score and symptom score for cystitis decreased from 20.3 to 9.9 (response rate 86.7%, 95% CI 80.2-93.2%) and from 6.2 to 1.8 (response rate 83.2%, 95% CI 78.7-87.7%), respectively. In the overall clinical efficacy, 71.2% and 88.4% of the patients with prostatitis and cystitis were responders, respectively. Of the patients, 15.7% reported insignificant adverse events. These results suggest that gatifloxacin was well tolerated and improved the clinical outcomes in patients with chronic prostatitis or cystitis.

Inhibitory effects of antioxidant constituents from Melothria heterophylla on matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression in UVA-irradiated human dermal fibroblasts

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are known to play an important role in photoaging by mediating the degradation of extracellular matrix proteins. To develop a new anti-aging agent for cosmetics from natural products, Melothria heterophylla (Lour.) Cogn. was selected for its antioxidant activity and inhibitory effect on expression of MMP-1 in UVA-irradiated human skin fibroblasts. Two compounds (compounds 1 and 2 ) were isolated from an ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the ethanolic extracts; they were identified as 1,2,4,6-tetra-O-galloyl-beta-(D)-glucopyranose (1) and 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid (2). These compounds were found to scavenge radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and were measured to have SC50 values of 3.9 microM and 13.3 microM against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and values of 4.3 microM and 4.0 microM against superoxide radicals in the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system, respectively. Compounds 1 and 2 showed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the expression and activity of MMP-1 in UVA-induced human skin fibroblasts, but no inhibition of MMP-1 mRNA expression. Therefore, we concluded that compounds 1 and 2 significantly inhibited MMP-1 expression at the protein level. Also, these compounds were determined to have a potent antioxidant activity. From these results, we suggest that these compounds might be useful as a new anti-aging agent for photodamaged skin, but the in vitro findings must be verified in in vivo studies.

Enhanced expression of glutamate decarboxylase 65 improves symptoms of rat parkinsonian models

In this study, we report the amelioration of parkinsonian symptoms in rat Parkinson's disease (PD) models, as a result of the expression of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) 65 with a modified cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. The transfer of the gene for gamma-amino butryic acid (GAD), the rate-limiting enzyme in gama-amino butrylic acid (GABA) production, has been investigated as a means to increase inhibitory synaptic activity. Electrophysiological evidence suggests that the transfer of the GAD65 gene to the subthalamic nucleus (STN) can change the excitatory output of this nucleus to inhibitory output. Our in vitro results also demonstrated higher GAD65 expression in cells transfected with the JDK promoter, as compared to cells transfected with the CMV promoter. Also, a rat PD model in which recombinant adeno-associated virus-2 (rAAV2)-JDK-GAD65 was delivered into the STN exhibited significant behavioral improvements, as compared to the saline-injected group. Interestingly, we observed that these behavioral improvements were more obvious in rat PD models in which rAAV2-JDK-GAD65 was injected into the STN than in rat PD models in which rAAV2-CMV-GAD65 was injected into the STN. Moreover, according to electrophysiological data, the rAAV2-JDK-GAD65-injected group exhibited more constant improvements in firing rates than did the rAAV2-CMV-GAD65-injected group. These data indicate that the JDK promoter, when coupled with GAD65 expression, is more effective with regard to parkinsonian symptoms than is the CMV promoter.

Preliminary experience with a terpene mixture versus ibuprofen for treatment of category III chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

To evaluate the efficacy of a terpene mixture (rowatinex) compared to ibuprofen, patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) were randomly selected to either receive rowatinex 200 mg t.i.d. or ibuprofen 600 mg t.i.d. After a 6-week treatment, the decrease in the mean total NIH-CPSI score was significant in both groups from 21.4 to 15.3, (6.1 (p < 0.01) and from 21.2 to 16.8, (4.4 (p = 0.04) in the rowatinex and ibuprofen group, respectively. The rate of definite improvement as defined as 25% improvement in the total score was superior (p = 0.04) in the rowatinex group (68%) versus the ibuprofen group (40%). Judging from these results, rowatinex gave significant symptomatic relief and may be of benefit for many men diagnosed with CP/CPPS. Further, including the placebo-controlled studies are necessary to define its role in the management of this difficult to treat disease.

New cosmetic agents for skin whitening from Angelica dahurica

To develop a new whitening agent for cosmetics from natural products, Angelica dahurica was selected for its inhibitory effect on melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells. From the mechanism study, it was clarified that the ethanolic extracts of this plant showed the suppression of tyrosinase synthesis but no inhibition of tyrosinase activity. In order to find the active constituents from this plant, the ethanol extracts were chromatographed repeatedly with silica gel. Two coumarin compounds were isolated from A. dahurica. Their structures were identified by physicochemical and spectral data such as UV, IR, NMR, and MS. It was shown that the active substance was isoimperatorin (10-[(3-methyl-2-butenyl)oxy]-7H-furo[3,2-g][1] benzopyran-7-one) and imperatorin (9-[(3-methyl-2-butenyl)oxy]-7H-furo[3,2-g][1] benzopyran-7-one). They significantly inhibited tyrosinase synthesis in B16 melanoma cells. To elucidate the action mechanism of the active compounds of A. dahurica, we investigated the changes in the mRNA level of tyrosinase using the RT-PCR technique. As a result, the mRNA level of tyrosinase was markedly reduced by active compounds of A. dahurica. From these results, we suggest that these extracts might be useful as a new whitening agent in cosmetics, but the in vitro findings must be verified in in vivo skin-lightening studies.